Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Twins Promos Take a Turn Toward the Gently Surreal

Perhaps I'm missing something, but this one doesn't seem to have a theme like the previous efforts (Santana changing speeds; The Twins infield as Piranhas). The only clear theme I'm getting from this one is that Michael Cuddyer can't read. However, I'm all for wandering narrative in my films; this serves that well.

Cons:

It seems clear here that Cuddyer does not have an acting career to fall back on. Pretty flat delivery, Mike! You're not making me believe that Juan Rincon has just severed Johan Santana into two at all.

The ending could be seen as having not satisfactorily reached a conclusion.Pros:

That kid fainting.

The ending being seen as a Beckett-like coda; our characters are immobilized by doubt and confusion. They can stand there until the end of time; their illiteracy will not get poor Johan back together again anytime soon.

Final judgement:As a baseball advertisement, it is an interesting failure. As a metaphor for the bitter absurdity and capriciousness of life, it's a clear winner.

UPDATE: Commenter Jess is of course, quite correct. I had no idea that Cuddyer is considered the Twins answer to David Blaine. But the proof is in the Teen-Centric Journalism of the local NBC affiliate KARE 11's "Whatever" Show. That's Edutainment! Still, basing a commercial spot on a baseball player's hobby as opposed to his famous RBI'in' ability seems flawed. My judgement stands, if it is with a more clear vision of what was intended. (By the way, the guy "teenager" in the film clip is gotta be in his mid-20's, doesn't he?)

Jess is right; Cuddy is an amateur magician and even did some tricks on ESPNEWS last year. He's always doing card tricks and whatnot in the clubhouse. Most Twins fans would get the inside joke in this commercial.